Controlled synthesis of upconverting nanoparticles/ZnxCd1-xS yolk-shell nanoparticles for efficient photocatalysis driven by NIR light

Photocatalysts driven by near infrared light (NIR) are of great importance for making full use of solar energy and wide applications in biomedicine, biosensor, photocatalysis, and etc. In this work, we demonstrate a facile template assisted hydrothermal approach to fabricate upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and ZnxCd1-xS yolk shell nanoparticles, although the yolk-shell nanoparticles were made from hexagonal phase of beta-NaYF4 (NaYF4:Yb/Tm@NaYF4:Yb/Er) and II-VI semiconductor materials with a large lattice mismatch of more than 10%. The growth mechanism of the formation of yolk-shell nanostructures has been extensive investigated and the shape evolution with the time has been demonstrated. Steady and dynamic fluorescence spectra show that the as-prepared yolk-shell nanoparticles of UCNPs/ZnxCd1-xS can be used as efficient nanotransducer for NIR light owing to enhanced energy transfer efficiency. Interesting, the as-prepared yolk-shell nanoparticles exhibit excellent photocatalytic performance on degradation towards RhB dyes, excellent biocompatible properties and high production ability for hydroxyl radical (center dot OH) and single oxygen (O-1(2)), which might be employed to wide applications in solar cell, hydrogen production, and photodynamic therapy related nano-biotechnology.